Designers and Equity
With thanks to Designers Peter Ruthven Hall and Sophie Jump
Designers are an important section of Equity's membership. Our Designer members work in lighting, set, sound and costume design in all areas of theatre. They are also employed in non-theatre work such as design for exhibitions, museums, conferences, events and award ceremonies. In the mid 1970s Theatre Designers recognised that they were too small a group to negotiate working terms and conditions and so they chose to become part of Equity in order to collectively protect and extend their contractual rights, particularly copyright and basic fees. The first Equity contracts were negotiated and in place by 1984 and continue to be developed. Students of theatre design disciplines are also eligible to take out Student Membership of the union.
Reasons Designers Choose Equity
"While strong professional organisations such as the Association of Lighting Designers and the Society of British Theatre Designers are important for communication within our fields, Equity provides essential strength in our negotiations with our employers as well as invaluable protection when all does not go to plan. Otherwise we are single freelancers and will be treated as such " - Rick Fisher, (Lighting Designer)
"It is essential that we have a union to represent us and that all designers are members. We should remember that the union is only as good as the people who are in it and it is our responsibility to make it brilliant!" - Alison Chitty, (Set and Costume Designer)
"Without Equity there would be no minimum fees, no rates for travel payments, no rates for subsistence; no agreed terms and conditions. The union is the only channel for improving pay and conditions, ensuring prompt payment of fees, protecting us and other members from exploitation. It is essential for us to stick together by joining Equity and working towards a common goal. The instability of government and local authority funding has threatened some theatres with closure; seasons are becoming shorter and new productions are fewer in number. The working conditions and designers' fees are being squeezed to the absolute minimum. Now more than ever we need to be strongly represented."- Peter Ruthven Hall (Set Designer)
Working for Designers
In addition to the benefits of membership Equity provides for all its members and which are outlined in this website, Equity recognises that Designers have additional needs and works to address these. Often because a Designer works in isolation they are more liable to be exploited. We have produced a guide to Designer's Contracts in the members' only area of this site, to help equip designer members to combat this situation. In addition, listed below are a few examples of the varied work undertaken by Equity on behalf of its Designer members. They illustrate the value of being a member of Equity, especially if you bear in mind that there is no additional cost to the Designers other than their annual Equity subscription rate:
- Chasing late payments. Sadly it is the case that the way Designers work can leave them open to not being paid on time or at all. Actors are paid weekly but Designers usually get a fee and it is often the case that if a show is not doing well or the employer has financial problems, the Designer is left unpaid. Equity chases these employers and ensures its members get their fees.
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Case history A Designer requested that she be represented by Equity resulting from an on-going dispute she was having with a Small Scale Theatre. This intervention by Equity resulted in monies owed being paid together with the Designer being credited with elements of the design not previously credited to her. |
- Copyright. This is an area of especial concern for Designers and one in which Equity is well-versed. We give advice and take action where necessary if our Designers are in dispute over copyright ownership.
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Case history Equity gave advice and guidance toa Set and Costume Designer who discovered that sets and costumes they had designed for one producer had been sold to another with the intention of reviving the production. The new producer claimed that he thought the original producer had already bought out the copyright of the designs. With assistance from Equity the Designer obtained a financial settlement for copyright royalty payments. |
- Representation overseas. Designers often work outside of the United Kingdom and can get into difficulties. Equity is usually able to help in these situations.
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Case history A Set and Costume Designer who had been engaged to work for a German Opera Festival on a German contract became embroiled in a contractual payment with the producer; the producer in this case being a city. On behalf of the city the mayor commenced legal proceeding against the Designer in the German courts. Equity arranged for a German based solicitor to represent the Designer. This intervention resulted in a settlement being agreed by both parties |
The Voice of Designers
Equity has a Theatre Designers' Committee made up of 12 members who are working Designers and who are elected by other Designer members. The make up of the committee means that they bring valuable knowledge and experience to the work the committee undertakes and the advice it provides to the union's ruling Council.
Designers are listed on our Theatre Designer Register and Equity consults with these members on issues of especial relevance to them. For example the members of the Register were surveyed so the union could get a picture of working patterns and payments in order to have real information to take into negotiations with employers.
Designers are involved in Equity's meetings and negotiations with employers and other outside organisations and they work with Equity Officials to ensure that our Agreements and Contracts absolutely suit the needs of professional designers.
Want to join?
If you are a professional designer and not yet a member of Equity, then please contact us for a joining pack. Email info@equity.org.uk or ibayes@equity.org.uk or call 020 7379 6000 and press Option 2, or visit the Membership and How to Join section of this website.